Oakland University's longest standing president Gary D. Russi officially begins retirement on Aug. 1, but his extensive career will leave a lasting impression on the community.

Throughout the years, Russi transformed OU into the campus it is today, growing it from 12,000 students to nearly 20,000, winning awards and honors for his efforts along the way. He was the longest serving university president in Michigan, behind Eric R. Gilbertson of Saginaw Valley State University.

Russi announced his retirement on June 12 after serving for nearly 20 years at Oakland, most of which as president. Within hours, it was announced that his wife, women's basketball coach Beckie Francis, had been fired -- leading many to speculate on the cause for their sudden departures.

Before his presidency

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On April 1, 1993, former Oakland University President Sandra Packard recommended the appointment of Russi to the position of vice president for student affairs and professor of health sciences with tenure, according to Board of Trustees documents.

Packard faced criticism during the search process because of her hands-on approach, according to the Feb. 3, 1993 issue of student newspaper The Oakland Post. Russi's dossier was received later than four other candidates and was "less exemplary," according to the committee members in the search.

Russi earned his bachelor of science degree in pharmacology from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and his doctorate of philosophy degree in pharmacology and toxicology from the University of Kansas. He had previously served as Vice President for Research and Strategic Planning and Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at Drake University.

While at Drake University, he also had served as vice provost for academic affairs, vice provost for planning and budgeting and director of university planning.

Russi was praised for his successful fundraising efforts and leadership abilities at Drake University -- leading to his hiring at OU.

He would begin his new position at OU on July 1, 1993.

Time in office

Packard resigned from her presidency at a special board of trustees meeting on Jan. 10, 1995.

The Jan. 11, 1995 issue of The Oakland Post states that Packard lost the support of the OU Board of Trustees after several controversies. The board went on to explore a severance agreement with Packard before her contract expired on June 30, 1995.

The board immediately appointed Russi to serve as interim president. He was hired as president on June 6, 1996, with a salary of $150,000.

The board terminated a nationwide search after The Oakland Press filed a lawsuit against them for violating the Open Meetings Act during the president search. The Oakland Press won the lawsuit, which later became a scholarship for journalism students.

According to his first contract, as president, Russi was allowed to live rent-free at Matilda Dodge Wilson's former home, Sunset Terrace -- furnishing provided. He also got a university car with fuel, landline phone and eventually, a cell phone, housekeeping services, an entertainment allowance, moving expenses up to $7,500 to Sunset Terrace and a private office. The university also maintained any repairs the house, along with keeping insurance on the residence.

The contract allowed Russi's immediate family to live with him, which his contract defined as a spouse, children and parents of the president or spouse for care support.

When he announced his retirement, Russi's salary had grown to $357,875 -- the fourth highest paid in the state, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education. President of University of Michigan Mary Sue Coleman is the highest paid in Michigan with a salary of $603,357 per year in 2012.

Marriage to Beckie Francis

Russi met Francis when she arrived on the Oakland University campus in 1997. In a profile of Francis by Colgate University Athletics, Francis said Russi started attending more women's basketball games and it ultimately led to the two dating.

The couple was married in 1999 at Colgate University, which is in New York.

Russi and Francis met when she took over an Oakland program in transition to Division I competition -- a significant accomplishment in the school's progress -- in 1997.

It is unclear whether their relationship violated university rules, but Francis directly answered to Director of Athletics Tracy Huth, who in turn, reported to Russi.

Vote of No Confidence

In 2009, the American Association of University Professors organized a vote of no confidence, citing Russi was not doing a good job.

Former Board of Trustees Chairman Dennis Pawley stated in the press release at the time that Russi had demonstrated "extraordinary leadership" during hard economic times and he believed Russi could continue to guide the university with success.

According to The Oakland Post, faculty had said issues that led them to a vote of no confidence stemmed from salary disputes, lack of a faculty liaison to the board of trustees and the handling of an appointment of an interim dean in 1999.

A bill of particulars included items such as Russi refusing to acknowledge the contributions of faculty and staff who were lesbian/gay/bi-sexual/transgenders -- also known as LGBT; that he was isolated from campus life, failed to provide substantive information to the campus community concerning the establishment of the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine and that he prevented direct contact between the OU community and the Board of Trustees.

The only entity that can hire or fire presidents at OU is the Board of Trustees, which Russi ultimately had on his side.

Russi's Legacy

The turmoil at the county's flagship educational institution is not lost on Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, who served on the Oakland University Board of Trustees for two years before being elected to the county's top position in 1992.

"I gave him a call a day later," (after Russi's resignation) Patterson said of Russi. "I thought he and I were going to finish out the war together. He said 'it's time.' I'm going to miss him. He's been a big-time supporter of Oakland County and big, big supporter of me, and likewise, I am a big supporter of his."

Patterson said it's unfortunate for the legacies of Russi and Francis are being soiled by allegations made by former players against Francis and the implication appropriate action was not taken because of her relationship with Russi.

"There's two sides to every story," Patterson said. "She's a very bright and successful coach. There's a couple of players who got this ball rolling downhill.

"It's not the way (Russi) envisioned leaving."

Among critics was Farmington Hills native Jenna Bachrouche, who played OU basketball from 2010-12 before transferring. She said Francis infringed on her Islamic beliefs.

The university said it took "corrective action" after being made aware of the situation.

An investigation into Francis' conduct was launched again after the 2012-13 season and she was placed on unpaid suspension May 30. She was terminated two weeks later. The school is still reviewing other aspects of the program.

Francis and director of athletics Tracy Huth have declined to speak on the matter and the university does not comment on personnel matters.

Patterson said the school's addition of a $64 million Human Health Building, including the Oakland University-William Beaumont School of Medicine, is the highlight of several campus additions overseen by Russi.

"I hate to see Gary leave because he has major unfinished business," Patterson said. "He's a visionary.

"That campus is a long way from where it was when he came in."

The Human Health Building will have a multi-billion dollar impact on the county when it reaches capacity, Patterson said. The building and its programs make the county more competitive for prospective job hunters, reducing what Patterson calls a "brain drain," created when students leave the county and the state to pursue their career.

The medical school is expected to be at capacity, 500 students, by 2017.

There are currently several other construction projects proliferating the sprawling Rochester-area campus, including a new engineering center, student housing and an additional parking structure. Russi also oversaw expansion into Macomb County and a partnership with the Thomas M. Cooley Law School's Auburn Hills campus.

Under Russi's leadership, Oakland has introduced more than 65 new academic degree programs since 1995 and full-time faculty has grown to more than 500, according to the university.

The bustling activity is similar to the high-occupancy oil fields of the Middle East, Patterson joked.

"I drove past campus the other day," he said. "It looks like Kuwait with all the cranes all over the place."

It was a much different campus when Patterson served on its governing body after an appointment from former Michigan Gov. John Engler in 1991.

"It was still in its formative years, but you could see the potential," Patterson said. "They know what they're doing. They've got a plan."

Shortly thereafter, Russi began leading the campus into its metamorphosis.

Former chair of the OU Board of Trustees Henry Baskin said: "All in all, from an administration standpoint, it was a pretty tight ship. He was good at allowing changes to be made for the benefit of the university and the students."

Director of media relations at Oakland University Ted Montgomery said: "Dr. Russi's leadership transformed Oakland University from a small regional university into a world class institution that has become a first-choice destination for many students. His contributions to Oakland University are incalculable, and will benefit generations of students to come."